Print system and color print method

ABSTRACT

Provided is color printing technology capable of accommodating variation(s) in printer color space(s). User(s) may place test pattern printout(s)  336  and test pattern master sheet(s)  337  next to each other on platen(s) of image scanner(s)  338 , and may cause image scanner(s)  338  to scan such printout(s)  336  and master sheet(s)  337  in a single image scanning run. Captured image data output from image scanner(s)  338  may be acquired by print server machine(s)  2  and may be uploaded to center server machine(s)  8 . Center server machine(s)  8  is or are such that any difference(s) in color(s) between test pattern printout(s)  336  and master sheet(s)  337  is or are detected based on such uploaded captured image data; furthermore, based on results of such detection, new printer ICC profile(s) is or are created which represents or represent the current color space(s) of printer(s)  3 A,  3 B being investigated, and corresponding printer ICC profile(s) within printer ICC profile database  330  is or are updated

FIELD OF ART

The present invention relates generally to a printing system employingcomputer(s) and electronic printer(s), and pertains more particularly toa printing system suited to operations, from the taking of photograph(s)to the printing thereof, taking place at photo studio(s).

BACKGROUND ART

As a result of improvements in digital camera and electronic printerperformance, not only amateurs but also photographic industryprofessionals have begun using digital cameras and electronic printers.Amateurs as well as professionals typically make use of a simple systemwherein an electronic printer is connected by way of a dedicatedinterface cable, LAN, or the like to a personal computer on which aphoto retouching program is installed. Use of a sophisticated photoretouching program makes it possible to carry out a diverse variety ofretouching and/or color correction operations on photographic imagestaken with a digital camera, and/or freely vary the size and/orresolution of such images. Inkjet printers are favorably used as suchelectronic printers, as they permit printing of high-quality full-colorphotographs that are as good as silver halide photographs.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The typical system described above performs extremely well in terms ofits ability to permit each individual photograph to be finished asnecessary to achieve a quality print. However, at photo studios or othersuch sites dealing with commercial or professional photographic prints,in addition to such capabilities, there is uncompromising demand forability to attain satisfactory color during printing.

But it is not an easy matter to attain satisfactory color duringprinting. The principal factors responsible for this include thefollowing.

The first factor is the fact that the characteristics affecting color indigital cameras, computer display monitors, printers, and other suchimage processing devices differ from device to device. For this reason,the color of the original image taken with the camera, the color of theimage on the monitor screen, and the color of the image which is printedout will all be different. Despite this, conventional systems do notpossess the capability to automatically adjust color to compensate fordifferences in color characteristics among devices. Unless the user hasa good understanding of the color characteristics of each device andmanually adjusts color himself or herself in, for example, photoretouching software or the like, the user will be unable to attainsatisfactory color during printing.

The second factor is the fact that color space(s) of printer(s) changeover time due to reasons such as deterioration over time in quality ofink(s) used in printer(s). As a result, even where it had been possibleat some time in the past to satisfactorily print a desired image, it issometimes the case when the aforementioned desired image is printedafter passage of a certain period of time thereafter (e.g., severalweeks thereafter) that the color, brightness, and so forth of theprinted image differs from the color, brightness, and so forth of theimage that was printed in the past (meaning that the image is no longersatisfactorily printed).

The present invention was conceived primarily to address the secondfactor, an object thereof being to provide printing technology capableof accommodating variation(s) in printer color space(s).

A printing system in accordance with a first aspect of the presentinvention comprises one or more print means (e.g., print engine(s),printer(s) comprising one or more print engines, etc.); one or morestorage units storing one or more print means color profilesrepresenting one or more color spaces for at least one of the printmeans; one or more control means accepting image data for printing,using at least one of the print means color profile or profiles storedin at least one of the storage unit or units to carry out color matchingwith respect to at least a portion of the image data for printing, andusing at least a portion of the image data with respect to which colormatching has been carried out to control at least one of the printmeans; and one or more update means updating at least one of the printmeans color profile or profiles within at least one of the storage unitor units at regular intervals and/or whenever appropriate.

A preferred embodiment further comprises one or more test patternprinting processing means accepting input of test pattern image data, atleast a portion of the test pattern image data representing one or moretest patterns, and providing at least a portion of the test patternimage data to at least one of the control means, at least a portion ofthe test pattern image data provided to at least one of the controlmeans serving as at least a portion of the image data for printing; andone or more color profile creating means creating at least onemost-recent print means color profile representing at least one currentcolor space of at least one of the print means based on one or more testpattern printouts output by at least one of the print means and/orinformation about at least one of the printout or printouts; wherein atleast one of the update means uses at least one of the createdmost-recent print means color profile or profiles to update at least oneof the print means color profile or profiles within at least one of thestorage unit or units. This embodiment may further comprise one or moretest pattern master sheets on which at least one image of at least oneof the test pattern or patterns is printed with at least one accuratecolor; and one or more image capturing means scanning at least one ofthe test pattern master sheet or sheets and at least one of the testpattern printout or printouts and creating captured image datacorresponding to at least one of the test pattern master sheet or sheetsand at least one of the test pattern printout or printouts; wherein atleast one of the color profile creating means is capable of creating atleast one of the most-recent print means color profile or profiles basedon at least one color of at least one of the test pattern master sheetor sheets and at least one color of at least one of the test patternprintout or printouts represented by at least a portion of the capturedimage data. Alternatively or in addition thereto, such embodiment maycomprise one or more user systems, and one or more server systemscapable of communicating with at least one of the user system orsystems; wherein at least one of the user system or systems comprises atleast one of the print means, at least one of the storage unit or units,at least one of the control means, at least one of the update means, andat least one of the test pattern printing processing means; and whereinat least one of the server system or systems comprises at least one ofthe color profile creating means.

A user system in accordance with a second aspect of the presentinvention is capable of communicating by way of one or morecommunication networks with one or more server systems, the user systemcomprising one or more print means; one or more storage units storingone or more print means color profiles representing one or more colorspaces for at least one of the print means; one or more control meansaccepting image data for printing, using at least one of the print meanscolor profile or profiles stored in at least one of the storage unit orunits to carry out color matching with respect to at least a portion ofthe image data for printing, and using at least a portion of the imagedata with respect to which color matching has been carried out tocontrol at least one of the print means; one or more receiving meansreceiving, from at least one of the server system or systems by way ofat least one of the communication network or networks, one or moremost-recent print means color profile representing at least one currentcolor space of at least one of the print means, at least one of themost-recent print means color profile or profiles being created based onone or more image printouts output by at least one of the print meansunder the control of at least one of the print control means and/orinformation about at least one of the printout or printouts; and one ormore update means using at least one of the received most-recent printmeans color profile or profiles to update at least one of the printmeans color profile or profiles within at least one of the storage unitor units.

A preferred embodiment further comprises one or more test patternprinting processing means accepting input of test pattern image data, atleast a portion of the test pattern image data representing one or moretest patterns, and providing at least a portion of the test patternimage data to at least one of the control means, at least a portion ofthe test pattern image data provided to at least one of the controlmeans serving as at least a portion of the image data for printing;wherein at least one of the most-recent print means color profile orprofiles received by at least one of the receiving means is createdbased on one or more test pattern printouts output by at least one ofthe print means under the control of at least one of the control meansand/or information about at least one of the printout or printouts.

In a still more preferred embodiment, the user system comprises one ormore test pattern master sheets on which one or more test patterns is orare printed with at least one accurate color; one or more imagecapturing means scanning at least one of the test pattern master sheetor sheets and at least one of the test pattern printout or printouts,and creating captured image data corresponding to at least one of thetest pattern master sheet or sheets and at least one of the test patternprintout or printouts; and one or more sending means sending at leasteither (1) or (2)—

-   (1) being at least a portion of the captured image data; and-   (2) being information (e.g., information required for creation of    print means color profile(s) which is or are the most recent    version(s) thereof and which occupy less data storage space than    captured image data (one example of which would be information    indicating difference(s) in color therebetween)) created based on at    least one color of at least one of the test pattern master sheet or    sheets and at least one color of at least one of the test pattern    printout or printouts represented by at least a portion of the    captured image data—to at least one of the server system or systems.    In accordance herewith, server system(s) may create the    aforementioned most-recent print means color profile(s) based on    captured image data received from user system(s) and/or the    aforementioned created information and may send same to user    system(s), and user system(s) may use such most-recent print means    color profile(s) received from server system(s) to update print    means color profile(s) within storage unit(s).

A method in accordance with a third aspect of the present invention,being a color printing method for one or more printing systemscomprising one or more print means, comprises one or more steps in whichone or more print means color profiles representing one or more colorspaces for at least one of the print means is or are stored; one or moresteps in which image data for printing is accepted, at least one of theprint means color profile or profiles stored in at least one of thestorage unit or units is used to carry out color matching with respectto at least a portion of the image data for printing, and at least aportion of the image data with respect to which color matching has beencarried out is used to control at least one of the print means; and oneor more steps in which at least one of the print means color profile orprofiles within at least one of the storage unit or units is updated atregular intervals and/or whenever appropriate.

A computer program in accordance with a fourth aspect of the presentinvention is capable of being made available to one or more printingsystems comprising one or more print means, the computer program beingcapable of causing one or more computers to carry out one or more stepsin which one or more print means color profiles representing one or morecolor spaces for at least one of the print means is or are stored; oneor more steps in which image data for printing is accepted, at least oneof the print means color profile or profiles stored in at least one ofthe storage unit or units is used to carry out color matching withrespect to at least a portion of the image data for printing, and atleast a portion of the image data with respect to which color matchinghas been carried out is used to control at least one of the print means;and one or more steps in which at least one of the print means colorprofile or profiles within at least one of the storage unit or units isupdated at regular intervals and/or whenever appropriate.

A printing system in accordance with a fifth aspect of the presentinvention comprises one or more print means; one or more data sourcesoutputting image data for printing; one or more image filters (e.g.,tone curve(s)) accepting input thereto of at least a portion of theimage data for printing output by at least one of the data source orsources, carrying out prescribed processing on at least a portion of theimage data for printing input thereto, and outputting therefrom at leasta portion of the image data for printing after the prescribed processinghas been carried out thereon; one or more storage units storing at leastone of the image filter or filters; one or more control meanscontrolling at least one of the print means so as to print at least aportion of the image data for printing output by at least one of theimage filter or filters; and one or more update means updating at leastone of the image filter or filters at regular intervals and/or wheneverappropriate. At least one of the image filter or filters corresponds toat least one of the print means. It is preferred that at least one ofthe image filter or filters correspond not only to at least one of theprint means but also correspond to a variety of print media (e.g., plainpaper, glossy paper, compact discs, etc.).

In a preferred embodiment, such printing system further comprises one ormore test pattern printing processing means accepting input of testpattern image data, at least a portion of the test pattern image datarepresenting one or more test patterns, and providing at least a portionof the test pattern image data to at least one of the control means, atleast a portion of the test pattern image data provided to at least oneof the control means serving as at least a portion of the image data forprinting; and one or more filter creating means creating at least onemost-recent image filter corresponding to at least one current colorspace of at least one of the print means based on one or more testpattern printouts output by at least one of the print means and/orinformation about at least one of the printout or printouts. At suchtime, at least one of the update means uses at least one of the createdmost-recent image filter or filters to update at least one of the imagefilter or filters within at least one of the storage unit or units. In astill more preferred embodiment, the printing system further comprises(the following being, for example, placed together next to each other onone or more platens) one or more test pattern master sheets on which atleast one of the test pattern or patterns is printed with at least oneaccurate color; and one or more image capturing means scanning at leastone of the test pattern master sheet or sheets and at least one of thetest pattern printout or printouts and creating captured image datacorresponding to at least one of the test pattern master sheet or sheetsand at least one of the test pattern printout or printouts. At suchtime, at least one of the filter creating means creates at least one ofthe most-recent image filter or filters based on at least one color ofat least one of the test pattern master sheet or sheets and at least onecolor of at least one of the test pattern printout or printoutsrepresented by at least a portion of the captured image data.

A method in accordance with a sixth aspect of the present invention,being a color printing method for one or more printing systemscomprising one or more print means and one or more data sourcesoutputting image data for printing, comprises one or more steps in whichat least a portion of the image data for printing output by at least oneof the data source or sources is input, prescribed processing is carriedout on at least a portion of the input image data for printing, and oneor more image filters output after the prescribed processing has beencarried out is or are stored; one or more steps in which at least one ofthe print means is controlled so as to print at least a portion of theimage data for printing output by at least one of the image filter orfilters; and one or more steps in which at least one of the image filteror filters is updated at regular intervals and/or whenever appropriate.At least one of the image filter or filters corresponds to at least oneof the print means.

A computer program in accordance with a seventh aspect of the presentinvention is capable of being made available to one or more printingsystems comprising one or more print means and one or more data sourcesoutputting image data for printing, the computer program being capableof causing one or more computers to carry out one or more steps in whichat least a portion of the image data for printing output by at least oneof the data source or sources is input, prescribed processing is carriedout on at least a portion of the input image data for printing, and oneor more image filters output after the prescribed processing has beencarried out is or are stored; one or more steps in which at least one ofthe print means is controlled so as to print at least a portion of theimage data for printing output by at least one of the image filter orfilters; and one or more steps in which at least one of the image filteror filters is updated at regular intervals and/or whenever appropriate.

A computer system in accordance with an eighth aspect of the presentinvention comprises one or more image processing means (e.g., printingprocessing means) carrying out specific image processing on image datainput thereto, the system comprising one or more test pattern mastersheets on which one or more test patterns is or are printed with atleast one accurate color; one or more image capturing means scanning atleast one of the test pattern master sheet or sheets and one or moreprintouts of at least one of the test pattern or patterns, at least oneof the test pattern master sheet or sheets and at least one of the testpattern printout or printouts being placed together on one or moreplatens, and creating captured image data in which included togetherthere are results of capture for both at least one of the test patternmaster sheet or sheets and at least one of the test pattern printout orprintouts; and one or more means employing at least a portion of thecaptured image data to control and/or adjust at least one of the imageprocessing means.

A method in accordance with a ninth aspect of the present invention,being capable of being used in the context of a computer systemcomprising one or more image processing means carrying out specificimage processing on image data input thereto, comprises one or moresteps in which one or more test pattern master sheets on which one ormore test patterns is or are printed with at least one accurate colorand one or more printouts of at least one of the test pattern orpatterns are placed together on one or more platens, and at least one ofthe test pattern master sheet or sheets and at least one of the testpattern printout or printouts are scanned; one or more steps in whichcaptured image data is created, results of capture carried out in atleast one of the scanning step or steps for both at least one of thetest pattern master sheet or sheets and at least one of the test patternprintout or printouts being included in the captured image data; and oneor more steps in which at least a portion of the captured image data isemployed to control and/or adjust at least one of the image processingmeans.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is drawing showing a schematic example of printer and monitorgamuts.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall constitution of anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing constitution, function, and operationat print server machine 2 and client machines 5A, 5B in photo studiosystem 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing constitution, function, and operationat print server machine 2 and center server machine 8.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing functional constitution of printserver machine 2 and center server machine 8 for updating printer ICCprofile(s).

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of application of printerICC profile updating to a typical printing system in an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a photo studio system associated withanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing functional constitution of printserver machine 252 and center server machine 255 for updatingcompensating filter(s) in another embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT INVENTION

Before beginning description of embodiments, “color profiles” and “colormatching,” repeated reference to which is made throughout suchdescription, will be described.

Each of the various image processing devices (e.g., cameras, imagescanners, display monitors, printers, etc.) has its own unique colorspace(s) in which operations are carried out and its own uniquegamut(s), i.e., locus or loci of colors that can be created. Forexample, while display monitors all operate within RGB color space,gamut will vary from monitor to monitor. Likewise, gamuts of printers,which carry out operations in CMYK color space, will be different fordifferent printers. Furthermore, even the same printer will exhibitdifferent gamuts depending upon the type of ink and printing medium(printing paper) used therewith.

FIG. 1 is drawing showing a schematic example of gamuts of differentdevices. At FIG. 1, reference numeral 300 indicates gamut visiblyperceivable by human beings, reference numeral 301 indicates gamutcapable of being printed out by a particular printer, and referencenumeral 302 indicates gamut capable of being displayed by a particulardisplay monitor. As shown in FIG. 1, gamut varies depending on device.

An output device such as a monitor or printer is only capable ofexpressing colors within the range of its gamut. An input device such asa camera or image scanner is only capable of storing colors within therange of its gamut. The fact that gamut varies from device to device inthis fashion means that the color space within which the device operateswill vary from device to device. For example, while every printeroperates within the same type of color space, i.e., CMYK, gamut will bedifferent for each individual printer and for each ink and printingmedium used therewith. There therefore exist different CMYK color spacesfor each individual printer and for each ink and printing medium usedtherewith.

“Color profiles” refer to numerical representations used to providerigorous definition of the color spaces within which various devicesoperate. A color profile includes indication of the type(s) of colorspace peculiar to that device (e.g., RGB, CMYK, LCH, etc.). But theprimary information included as part of a color profile is conversiontable(s) for conversion of color space(s) peculiar to that device (e.g.,RGB, CMYK, LCH, and/or other such color spaces) to device-independentcolor space(s) (e.g., XYZ, Yxy, Lab, Luv, and/or other such colorspaces), and/or for carrying out conversion in the reverse direction.Such conversion tables make it possible for characteristic gamuts ofdevices to be quantitatively defined.

The International Color Profile format established by the ICC(International Color Consortium) is a known standard for color profileformat. In the description that follows, “ICC profile” refers to a colorprofile written in this International Color Profile format.

“Color matching,” also called “color mapping,” refers to the adjustment(shift) which must be made to color values in image data subject toconversion when converting image data in one particular color space toimage data in a different color space so as to cause colors in the twocolor spaces to approximate one another. It is impossible to causecolors to match perfectly when going between two different color spacesif the gamuts thereof are different. But if, when converting image dataof one color space to image data of a different color space, great careis exercised in shifting color values of such image data so as tocompensate for the difference in gamuts between the two color spaces, itis possible to satisfactorily approximate colors in going from one ofthe two devices to the other. Processing for shifting color values inthis way is called color matching (or color mapping).

Color matching may be carried out through use of color profiles, e.g.,ICC profiles, respectively representing source (conversion input) colorspace(s) and target (conversion output) color space(s). For example,when converting RGB image data output from a digital camera to CMYKimage data to be printed by a printer, color matching may be carried outthrough use of a color profile for the RGB color space of the digitalcamera as source, and a color profile for the CMYK color space of theprinter as target. This will allow a printout to be obtained which hascolor(s) satisfactorily approximating color(s) as present in picturestaken with the digital camera. Alternatively, when converting RGB imagedata displayed on a monitor to CMYK image data to be printed by aprinter, color matching may be carried out through use of a colorprofile for the RGB color space of the monitor as source, and a colorprofile for the CMYK color space of the printer as target. This willallow a printout to be obtained which has color(s) satisfactorilyapproximating color(s) as displayed on the monitor.

Color matching may be broadly categorized as falling into one of twocategories depending upon the method used to handle colors present inthe gamut of the source which lie outside of the bounds of the targetgamut. In the first method, source colors lying outside of the targetgamut are essentially discarded. In the second method, source colorslying outside of the target gamut are shifted so as to make them fallwithin the target gamut through use of interpolation processing or thelike. These two methods each have advantages and disadvantages.Especially with conversion of photographic images, there is lesstendency that a person looking at the post-conversion photographic imagewill be struck by a sense of unnaturalness if the latter color matchingmethod is used. This latter color matching method is referred to as“perceptual color matching.”

An embodiment of the present invention is described below. FIG. 2 showsthe overall constitution of this embodiment.

At FIG. 2, each of a number of photo studios is equipped with photostudio system(s) 1. Present at photo studio(s) there is or are LAN(s) 4,such LAN(s) 4 connecting print server machine(s) 2 and one or aplurality of (e.g., two) computer machines (hereinafter “clientmachines”) 5A, 5B. Client machines 5A, 5B may connect, e.g., via USB, todigital camera(s) 6. Furthermore, one or a plurality of (here, two)electronic printers 3A, 3B is or are respectively connected, e.g., viaUSB, to print server machine(s) 2. Each printer 3A, 3B is an inkjetprinter employing for example pigment-type inks, these being capable ofproducing high-quality printed output that is extremely lightfast. Printserver machine(s) 2 and the two printers 3A, 3B may be housed within asingle dedicated box-like casing (not shown), permitting installation ata single location somewhere at the photo studio.

Client machines 5A, 5B are primarily used to read one or a plurality ofphoto images from digital camera(s) 6 and store same in disk storage andfor editing one or more desired photo images and generating therefromdata representing print job(s) of desired number(s) of pages and othersuch operations. Included among the types of editing of photo imagescarried out here are photo retouching operations wherein desiredenhancements such as trimming, local modifications, global coloradjustment, and/or the like are carried out on individual photo images,print layout editing wherein one or more desired photo images is or arearranged so as to occupy the space on a sheet of media (print page), andso forth. Print server machine(s) 2, on the other hand, possesses orpossess the ability to accept print job data from client machines 5A, 5Band to create respective page(s) of printed image(s) based thereon andsend same to printers 3A, 3B. Furthermore, print server machine(s) 2possesses or possess the ability to manage status, print job executionstatus and execution history, and other such information (hereinafter“print information”) pertaining to printers 3A, 3B, and to communicatesame to client machines 5A, 5B.

Moreover, existing separate from the photo studio(s) there is or arecenter server machine(s) 8, whose role it is to centrally manageoperational status of photo studio systems 1 at a multiplicity of photostudios. Print server machines 2 and client machines 5A, 5B atrespective photo studio systems 1 may respectively communicate withcenter server machine(s) 8 via the Internet 7. Center server machine(s)8 gather print information for respective photo studios from printserver machines 2 of the photo studio systems 1 thereof, this beingstored in database(s) of center server machine(s) 8, where it ismanaged. Upon being logged onto by way of WWW browser(s) by user(s) atrespective photo studios, center server machine(s) 8 may provide such aWWW browser with print information for that photo studio as stored indatabase(s) of center server machine(s) 8. Furthermore, when informationindicating occurrence of prescribed event(s) previously specified byuser(s) at respective photo studios (e.g., a printer paper jam or othersuch error) is received from such a photo studio, center servermachine(s) 8 may transmit such fact by electronic mail to emailaddress(es) previously specified by such a user (e.g. an email addressfor a mobile phone belonging to such a user). In addition, center servermachine(s) 8 may, based on print information from respective photostudios, calculate consumed quantity or quantities of print media, ink,and/or other such consumables at such a photo studio and may makearrangements for supply of consumables to respective photo studios,carry out billing for amounts in connection therewith, and so forth.

Furthermore, in one mode of photo studio business management,intermediate management organization(s) (hereinafter “dealer(s)”) mightbe interposed between center(s) and the several photo studios, eachdealer managing business from a plurality of photo studios. In such acase, each dealer would also have computer machine(s) (hereinafter“dealer machine(s)”) 9 whereon WWW browser(s) and/or the like is or areinstalled. Moreover, upon being logged onto by way of WWW browser(s) byrespective dealers, center server machine(s) 8 may provide such a WWWbrowser with print information for photo studio(s) whose account(s) isor are handled by such a dealer. Dealer machine(s) 9 may take the placeof center server machine(s) 8 in making arrangements for supply ofconsumables to respective photo studios, billing for amounts inconnection therewith, and so forth based on print information forrespective photo studios.

Below, constitution and function of the various machines mentioned abovewill be described in further detail with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.FIG. 3 shows constitution and function at print server machine 2 andclient machines 5A, 5B in photo studio system 1. FIG. 4 showsconstitution and function at print server machine 2 and center servermachine 8. By looking at FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 together, the relationshipamong the various machines with respect to exchange of informationtherebetween will become clear.

Referring first to FIG. 3, constitution and function of client machines5A, 5B will be described. Note that at FIG. 3, client machines 5A, 5Bare indicated collectively by the single block of client system 5. Thenumber of client machines contained at client system 5 need not be twoas in the present embodiment, it being possible to employ any number solong as there is one or more thereof. Furthermore, the plurality ofapplication programs 11 through 17 such as will be described below whichclient system 5 possesses may be installed on all of the client machinescomprised by client system 5 or may be installed on any one machineonly, or may be installed in distributed fashion such that one programis for example installed on client machine 5A, another program is forexample installed on client machine 5B, and so forth.

As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of application programs, includingspecial photo retoucher 11, layout editor 13, status monitor 14,ordinary photo retoucher 15, image transfer driver 16, and WWW (WorldWide Web) browser 17, are installed at client system 5. Moreover, aprogram for sending and receiving electronic mail (not shown) may alsobe installed at client system 5.

Special photo retoucher 11, being a specially designed photo retouchingprogram for photo studio use, is constituted so as to permit prescribedretouching tasks typically required at photo studios to be carried outefficiently and in routine fashion.

When beginning retouching operations on respective photo image(s), thisspecial photo retoucher 11 automatically (always, unless otherwiserequested by the user) causes ICC color profile(s) to be set whichrepresents or represent color space(s) in which those retouchingoperations are to be carried out. The user may specify the type of colorspace(s) for which ICC color profile(s) is or are to be set. But wherethere is no specific specification from user(s), special photo retoucher11 will always cause ICC color profile(s) to be set in accordance withdefault settings. Furthermore, when outputting photo image(s) afterretouching thereof is finished, special photo retoucher 11 embeds suchICC profile(s) in file(s) containing such photo image(s).

Note that color space(s) in which photo image editing operations arecarried out prior to printing, such as color space(s) in which thisspecial photo retoucher 11 carries out retouching operations or colorspace(s) in which layout editor 13, described next, carries out printlayout editing operations, will hereinafter be referred to as “workingcolor space(s)” for such photo images. Note also that ICC profile(s)representing such working color space(s) will hereinafter be referred toas “working ICC profile(s).”

Layout editor 13, being an application program for print layout editingintended for photo studios, is designed to permit print layout editingoperations, wherein one or more photo images is or are arranged so as tooccupy print page(s) (the space(s) on sheet(s) of print media) withsize(s) of respective photo image(s) being made to conform to desiredstandard size(s), to be carried out quickly and in routine fashion. Thatis, as indicated by arrow 21, layout editor 13 reads from print servermachine 2 a multiplicity of templates respectively representing variousbasic print layouts previously prepared and made available at printserver machine 2, and displays template(s) desired by user(s) atmonitor(s) of client system 5. The basic print layouts represented bythe respective templates are space(s) (print page(s)) of standard printmedia size(s) capable of being used by printer(s), e.g., A4, A3, or B4,etc., in landscape (horizontal) or portrait (vertical) orientation,wherein one or a plurality of photo frame(s) of standard photo size(s),e.g., 8×10 inch, 5×7 inch, 2.5×3.5 inch, or 1.75×2.5 inch, is or arearranged. Many templates are such that photo frame(s) is or areefficiently arranged so as to make sufficiently small the total areaoutside of photo frame(s) in order to make economic use of print media.By using graphical user interface(s) of layout editor 13 to drag anddrop desired photo image(s) onto desired respective photo frame(s)within template(s), user(s) can cause print page layout editing to becarried out automatically.

When beginning print layout editing operations on respective photoimage(s), layout editor 13 also causes working ICC profile(s) forworking color space(s) in which such operations are to be carried out tobe set for such photo image(s). If particular ICC profile(s) has or havepreviously been embedded in such photo image(s), layout editor 13 usessuch embedded ICC profile(s) as working ICC profile(s). Because image(s)which has or have, for example, been subjected to retouching by specialphoto retoucher 11 will already have embedded therein ICC profile(s) forcolor space(s) in which special photo retoucher 11 operated, this meansthat layout editor 13 will operate in exactly the same color space(s) asthe color space(s) in which special photo retoucher 11 operated. If, onthe other hand, such photo image(s) does or do not yet have ICCprofile(s) embedded therein, layout editor 13 automatically guesses atICC profile(s) which it assumes to have been previously embedded in suchphoto image(s), using such assumed ICC profile(s) as working ICCprofile(s). User(s) may specify exactly what ICC profile(s) is or are tobe assumed in such a case. But where there is no specific specificationfrom user(s), layout editor 13 will automatically use specific ICCprofile(s) which has or have been set by default as the ICC profile(s)which it assumes and uses as if previously embedded in such photoimage(s). Furthermore, when outputting photo image(s) after print layoutediting is finished, layout editor 13 embeds working ICC profile(s)automatically set as described above in file(s) containing such photoimage(s).

Upon completion of editing of the layout of all print pages constitutinga single print job, layout editor 13 creates data for that print job,which is transferred to print server machine 2 as indicated by arrow 22.Such print job data includes data indicating layout of all print page(s)contained within that print job, file(s) containing all photo image(s)to be placed on such print page(s), and working ICC profile(s) embeddedin such photo image file(s).

Layout editor 13 is made available as an independent program separatefrom retouching program(s) such as the special photo retoucher 11,described above, or the ordinary photo retoucher 15, described below.Moreover, client machines 5A, 5B, whereon such programs are installed,are connected by way of LAN 4 so as to permit mutual sharing of data,programs, and other such resources. This makes it possible for studiobusiness to proceed efficiently and in such manner as to permit one userat a studio to for example use one client machine 5A to carry out photoretouching operations with retouching program 11 or 15 on photo image(s)acquired from digital camera(s) 6, while in parallel fashion withrespect thereto another user might use the other client machine 5B tocarry out print layout editing operations with layout editor 13 on photoimage(s) which has or have already been retouched. Furthermore, if thereare three or more client machines, this will allow studio business toproceed in all the more flexible and efficient fashion.

As indicated by arrow 23, status monitor 13 obtains the most recenthistory information pertaining to errors generated by printers 3A, 3Band completion of execution (completion of printing) of respective printjobs from print server machine 2 at time intervals (e.g., every 10minutes, etc.) previously set by user(s), displaying same on displaymonitor(s) of client system 5.

Ordinary photo retoucher 15, being a conventionally known ordinary photoretouching program, is provided not only with retouching functionalitiestypically required at photo studios but also with a diverse variety ofretouching functionalities capable of satisfying graphical designers andthe like. With respect to tasks within the bounds of retouchingtypically performed at photo studios, special photo retoucher 11,described above, is designed to allow operations to proceed moreefficiently than would be the case with ordinary photo retoucher 15. Butin the event of a desire to perform atypical retouching not supported byspecial photo retoucher 11, user(s) may use ordinary photo retoucher 15instead of special photo retoucher 11.

Special photo retoucher 11, described above, is designed to permitretouching operations to be performed in cooperation with ordinary photoretoucher 15. That is, special photo retoucher 11 has button(s) on itsgraphical user interface for launching ordinary photo retoucher 15.Moreover, if such button(s) is or are pressed by user(s) whileretouching operations are underway on particular photo image(s), specialphoto retoucher 11 automatically assigns specific file name(s) to andsaves the photo image(s) on which operations were underway, storing suchfile name(s), and furthermore, as indicated by arrow 27, launchesordinary photo retoucher 15 and informs ordinary photo retoucher 15 ofsuch file name(s), causing such photo image(s) to be opened therein. Inaddition, special photo retoucher 11 itself becomes inactive. Upontermination of ordinary photo retoucher 15 thereafter, special photoretoucher 11 automatically becomes active again, reopening the photoimage file(s) having the file name(s) which was or were stored. As aresult, if the photo image(s) passed from special photo retoucher 11 toordinary photo retoucher 15 as described above is or are stored with thesame file name(s) prior to termination of ordinary photo retoucher 15,this means that special photo retoucher 11 will automatically reopenthat or those photo image file(s), permitting resumption of continuedretouching operations thereon. Combination of special photo retoucher 11and ordinary photo retoucher 15 in this way makes it possible forretouching operations to proceed efficiently. Moreover, when photoimage(s) is or are passed from special photo retoucher 11 to ordinaryphoto retoucher 15, because there is no guarantee that working ICCprofile(s) of such photo image(s) would be preserved by ordinary photoretoucher 15, special photo retoucher 11 discards such working ICCprofile(s). Furthermore, when reopening such photo image file(s),special photo retoucher 11 again causes working ICC profile(s) to beset.

Image transfer driver 16, launched at time(s) of print request(s) fromordinary photo retoucher 15, creates print job data for photo image(s)open in ordinary photo retoucher 15 and transfers same to print servermachine 2, as indicated by arrow 24.

WWW browser(s) 17 is or are program(s) for accessing various WWW serversavailable over the Internet 7 or LAN(s) 4. First among the ways in whichWWW browser(s) 17 may be used in connection with photo studio businessis for connecting to print information server(s) (such a serverrepresenting a type of WWW server) 37 of print server machine 2 and, asindicated by arrows 25 and 26, accessing status, print job executionhistory, and other such printer information for printers 3A, 3B which ismanaged by print server machine 2. Second, as indicated by arrow 65 ofFIG. 4, is for connecting to WWW server(s) 82 of center servermachine(s) 8 and accessing printer information or the like for suchphoto studio(s) which is managed by center server machine(s) 8.

Next, referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, function and constitution of printserver machine 2 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, programs including file transfer server31, print server 34, printer drivers 35A, 35B, print information server37, and log uploader 38, are installed at print server machine 2.

File transfer server 31 possesses a multiplicity of templates for use inprint layout editing and carries out processing for providing suchtemplates to layout editor 13 of client system 5, processing foraccepting print job data from image transfer driver 16 and/or layouteditor 13 of client system 5 and for transferring same to print server34, processing for sending to status monitor 14 of client system 5information concerning the situation with respect to occurrence oferrors, termination of execution of print jobs, and so forth at printers3A, 3B which is provided by print server 34, and so forth.

This file transfer server 31 possesses templates for a variety of basicprint layouts previously prepared and made available at template libraryfolder 32 within disk storage at print server machine 2. Furthermore,when specific template(s) is or are requested by layout editor 13 ofclient system 5, file transfer server 31 reads the requested template(s)from template library folder 32 as indicated by arrow 41, and transferssame to layout editor 13 as indicated by arrow 21. Utilization of suchtemplates facilitates print layout editing at layout editor 13. It ispossible to make use of the shared templates which are centrally managedby print server machine 2 no matter which client machine 5A, 5B is orare being used to carry out print layout editing.

Furthermore, file transfer server 31 receives print job data from imagetransfer driver 16 and/or layout editor 13 of client system 5 asindicated by arrow 22 (and/or 24), and stores such print job data in jobfolder 33 within disk storage at print server machine 2 as indicated byarrow 42. As shown in the drawing, the print job data from layout editor13, indicated by arrow 22, comprises job script(s) for such printjob(s), layout script(s) for one or more pages included within suchprint job(s), file(s) containing one or a plurality of photo image(s)included within such print job(s), and working ICC profile(s) for suchphoto image(s). What is here referred to as a job script is or arefile(s) containing description of item(s) necessary for management ofsuch print job(s); e.g., user name(s), printing priority, number ofcopies to be printed, designation of type(s) (material(s)) and size(s)of print media, designation of printer(s), time stamp(s) for such printjob(s), and/or the like. What is here referred to as a layout script isor are file(s) containing description of item(s) necessary fordetermining print layout on such respective print page(s); e.g.,template number(s), name(s) of file(s) containing photo image(s) to beplaced in respective photo frame(s) on respective template(s), settingsfor print options (e.g., printing of alignment mark(s), file name(s),etc.), and/or the like. To reduce print job data volume, each photoimage file is as a rule sent only once in a single print job datatransmission regardless of how many of such photos are to be printed.Working ICC profile(s) embedded in respective photo image file(s), asdescribed above, represent working color space(s) in which editingoperations were carried out on such photo image(s) at client system 5.

Furthermore, upon receipt of request(s) from status monitor 14 of clientsystem 5 for history information, file transfer server 31 communicatessame to print server 34 as indicated by arrow 23, and moreover, receiveshistory information pertaining to printer errors and completion of printjobs sent thereto from print server 34 responsive to such request andtransfers same to status monitor 14 of client system 5 as indicated byarrow 23.

Print server 34 carries out processing for creating print image data forrespective page(s) from print job data, processing for assignment ofrespective set(s) of print image data to printer(s) 3A and/or 3B and forsending such set(s) of print image data to printer driver(s) 35A and/or35B for printer(s) to which it or they was or were assigned, processingfor managing status and print job execution history of printer(s) 3Aand/or 3B as provided by printer driver(s) 35A and/or 35B, and so forth.Printer drivers 35A, 35B—respectively corresponding to printers 3A,3B—carry out processing for converting print image data received fromprint server 34 into data of such form as to permit processing thereofby printers 3A, 3B and for sending same to printers 3A, 3B, processingfor monitoring status of printers 3A, 3B and communicating same to printserver 34, and so forth.

Print server 34 reads print job data for respective print job(s) fromjob folder 33 as indicated by arrow 43. As previously mentioned, printjob data includes job script(s) for such print job(s), layout script(s)for print page(s), photo image file(s), and working ICC profile(s) forphoto image(s). Print server 34 uses layout script(s) for respectiveprint page(s) included within such print job data, and uses file(s)containing photo image(s) placed on respective print page(s), to createprint image data for respective print page(s) with layout(s) as editedby user(s).

In creating print image data for respective print page(s), print server34 reads such job script(s) and ascertains the printer(s) and printmedia (hereinafter “output printer(s)” and “output media”) type(s) to beused for printing such print page(s). In addition, as indicated by arrow44, print server 34 reads, from prescribed folder 39 at print servermachine 2, ICC profile(s) (hereinafter “printer ICC profile(s)”)representing color space(s) (hereinafter “printer color space(s)”) inwhich such output printer(s) 3A and/or 3B is or are to carry outprinting operations using such output media. Previously saved withinsuch folder 39 are different printer ICC profiles for each type of printmedia respectively capable of being used with printer 3A and printer 3B.Furthermore, printer ICC profiles for all printers of all photo studiosare stored at center server machine 8, print server machine(s) 2 ofrespective photo studio(s) being capable of downloading printer ICCprofile(s) for printer(s) 3A, 3B at such photo studio(s) from centerserver machine 8 by designating, for center server machine 8, machinenumber(s) for such printer(s) 3A, 3B (such machine numbers beingidentification numbers unique to the individual printers).

After reading printer ICC profile(s) corresponding to output printer(s)and output media from folder 39 as described above, print server 34 usesthe printer ICC profile(s) which was or were read and working ICCprofile(s) for respective photo image(s) on respective print page(s) tocarry out perceptual color matching on respective set(s) of photo imagedata. This permits respective set(s) of photo image data to be adjustedso as to produce color(s) when printed out that is or are as close aspossible to the color(s) present during editing thereof. In addition,print server 34 uses such adjusted photo image data to create printimage data for respective print page(s). Print server 34 thereaftersends the created print image data for respective print page(s) toprinter driver(s) 35A and/or 35B corresponding to output printer(s) asindicated by arrow 45. Printer drivers 35A, 35B respectively convertprint image data (e.g., RGB-type bitmapped image data) received fromprint server 34 into print data of such form as to permit processingthereof by printers 3A, 3B (e.g., carrying out color conversion from RGBto CMYK, halftoning, division into bands, addition of required controlinformation, etc.), and send the created print data to the correspondingprinter(s) 3A, 3B as indicated by arrow 61 in FIG. 4.

Furthermore, at appropriate time or times, printer driver(s) 35A, 35Bacquires or acquire from corresponding printer(s) 3A, 3B the status(e.g., operational status, error status, consumables status, etc.) ofprinter(s) 3A, 3B and sends or send acquired printer status to printserver 34 as indicated by arrow 46. Print server 34 ascertains statuswith respect to execution of print job(s) sent to printer driver(s) 35A,35B based on the printer status received from printer driver(s) 35A,35B. Furthermore, as indicated by arrow 47, print server 34 writesascertained status of printer(s) 3A, 3B, print job execution status, andother such information to print information database 36 at print servermachine 2. As a result, a history of the status of printers 3A, 3B and ahistory of executed print jobs come to be stored at print informationdatabase 36. Moreover, studio user registration information is alsomanaged at print information database 36.

Furthermore, upon receipt of information request(s) from status monitor14 of client system 5 via file transfer server 31 as indicated by arrow51, print server 34 as indicated by arrow 47 reads from printinformation database 36 that information within the error history andhistory of completed print jobs for printer(s) 3A, 3B which is mostrecent and has not yet been communicated to client system 5, and sendssame to file transfer server 31 as indicated by arrow 51. As has alreadybeen described, this most recent error history and history of print jobsfor which execution has been completed are immediately transferred tostatus monitor 14 of client system 5 and are displayed at displaymonitor(s) of client system 5.

Print information server 37 is a type of WWW server, and upon beinglogged onto (arrow 26) by an entity having registered user privilegesfrom WWW browser 17 of client system 5, print information server 37creates web page(s) respectively displaying content such as studio userregistration information, printer status history or histories, and/orprint job execution history or histories stored at print informationdatabase 36, and provides same to such WWW browser 17 as indicated byarrow 25. Furthermore, print information server 37 also has print jobhistory search capability or capabilities, and may receive searchrequest(s) from user(s) from WWW browser 17, may search printinformation database 36 for print job history or histories requested byuser(s), and may return search results to WWW browser 17. Moreover,print information server 37 also has print job control capability orcapabilities, receiving control request(s) (e.g., for deletion, changesin priority, number of copies to be printed, and/or other suchparticulars of job content, etc.) from user(s) from WWW browser 17 forprint job(s) waiting to be printed and altering information for suchprint job(s) within print information database 36. In addition, printinformation server 37 also has user registration capability orcapabilities, and upon being logged onto from WWW browser 17 by anentity having administrator privileges at such photo studio, mayregister new user information with print information database 36.

Log uploader 38 reads new print information not yet sent to centerserver machine 8 from print information database 36 at regular intervals(and/or whenever appropriate, as the case may be) in accordance withupload schedule(s) (time(s), time interval(s), etc. at which uploadingis to be carried out) previously specified by center server machine 8,and uploads same to center server machine 81 as indicated by arrow 63 inFIG. 4.

Furthermore, log uploader 38 has a WATCHDOG MODE for immediatelyreporting to user(s) abnormalities at photo studio system(s) 1 occurringwhen user(s) is or are absent or the like. A user wishing to make use ofWATCHDOG MODE registers in advance with log uploader 38 the type(s) ofabnormality to be reported (e.g., various categories of printer errors,etc.) and email address(es) (e.g., email address(es) for user mobilephone(s)) as desired by the user. Log uploader 38 communicates suchregistered email address(es) to center server machine 8. By putting loguploader 38 into watchdog mode at time(s) such as when such user(s) willbe away from photo studio(s) or the like, upon occurrence of thespecified abnormality or abnormalities log uploader 38 immediatelycommunicates the fact of occurrence of such abnormality or abnormalitiesto center server machine 8. Upon receipt thereof, center server machine8 creates email reporting occurrence of such abnormality orabnormalities, which it sends to such registered email address(es). Thismakes it possible for user(s) to be made quickly aware of abnormalitiesoccurring at studio(s) of user(s) even when such user(s) is or are awayfrom such studio(s).

Next, referring to FIG. 4, constitution and function of center servermachine 8 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 4, application programs including upload server 81, WWWserver 82, and emailer 83 are installed at center server machine 8.

Upload server 81, as indicated by arrow 62, communicates, to loguploader(s) 38 of respective photo studio(s), upload schedule(s)(time(s), time interval(s), etc. at which uploading is to be carriedout) managed by center database 84, each studio having its own uploadschedule(s), and moreover, receives the most recent print informationfor such studio(s) sent thereto from log uploader(s) 38 of respectivestudio(s) in accordance with such upload schedule(s) and stores same atcenter database 84 of center server machine 8.

Furthermore, at time or times when communication of occurrence ofabnormality or abnormalities is received from log uploader(s) 38 ofrespective studio(s) while in watchdog mode, described above, uploadserver 81 immediately passes such communication of occurrence ofabnormality or abnormalities to emailer 83 by way of center database 84.Upon receipt thereof, emailer 83 immediately creates email reportingoccurrence of such abnormality or abnormalities, which it sends, asindicated by arrow 66, to previously registered email address(es) 93 asdesired by user(s). This makes it possible for user(s) to be madequickly aware of abnormalities occurring at studio(s) of user(s) evenwhen such user(s) is or are away from such studio(s).

Upon being logged onto from WWW browser 92 installed at some computermachine(s) 91 (e.g., client machine(s) 5A, 5B, dealer machine(s) 9, orother such computer(s), PDA(s), mobile phone(s), and/or the like) by anentity having user, dealer, system-wide administrator privileges, or thelike, WWW server 82 reads from center database 84 print information,user information, and/or the like of a range commensurate withprivileges with which such entity is logged on thereto, creates webpage(s) displaying such information, and sends same to such WWW browser92 as indicated by arrow 65. What is here referred to as a rangecommensurate with privileges with which such entity is logged on theretomight for example in the case of user privileges mean “extending only tophoto studio(s) of such user(s) and only to such user(s),” or might inthe case of dealer privileges mean “extending only to photo studio(s)whose account(s) is or are handled by such dealer(s) and only to user(s)included in such account(s),” or might in the case of system-wideadministrator privileges mean “extending to all photo studio(s) and toall user(s).”

Furthermore, also managed by center database 84 in addition to printinformation and user information of respective photo studio(s) is avariety of information including amounts of consumables used atrespective studio(s) as calculated by the center and amounts billed bythe center, various news-type communications issued by the center, andso forth. Such information is also communicated to respective user(s)and respective dealer(s) by WWW server 82 and/or emailer 83.

The foregoing is the overall system associated with the presentembodiment(s).

Now, in the foregoing system, color space(s) of printer(s) 3A, 3B canchange over time due to reasons such as deterioration over time inquality of ink(s) used in printer(s) 3A, 3B. As a result, even where ithad been possible at some time in the past to satisfactorily obtainprintout(s) of desired image(s) (e.g., printout(s) obtained might havebeen close to expectations), it is sometimes the case when theaforementioned desired image(s) is or are printed after passage of acertain period of time thereafter (e.g., several weeks thereafter) thatthe color, brightness, and so forth of the image printout(s) differ fromthe color, brightness, and so forth of the printout(s) obtained in thepast (e.g., printout(s) obtained may not be close to expectations).

Printer ICC profile(s) stored in prescribed folder(s) 39 at print servermachine(s) 2 correspond to each of the various printer(s) 3A, 3B andprint media as has already been described, but such printer ICCprofile(s) do not exhibit correspondence with respect to change(s) incolor space(s) of printer(s) 3A, 3B over time. Stated differently, aprinter ICC profile only corresponds to a printer color space at aprescribed point in time (e.g., the color characteristics of the printermain body, ink, and print medium existing at the time the product wasshipped).

In the present embodiment, method(s) described below therefore make itpossible to update printer ICC profile(s) so as to permit accommodationof change(s) in printer color space(s) with time and make it possible toachieve satisfactory color printing.

FIG. 5 shows functional constitution of print server machine 2 andcenter server machine 8 for updating printer ICC profile(s).

As shown in FIG. 5, center server machine 8 possesses printer ICCprofile database 330, which stores printer ICC profile(s) for allprinters respectively installed at all photo studio(s). Stored thereinfor each respective printer are a plurality of printer ICC profilesrespectively corresponding to a plurality of usable types of printmedia. Printer ICC profile(s) for respective printer(s) are associatedwith machine number(s) of respective printer(s). At time or times whenphoto studio system(s) 1 of respective studio(s) is or are installed,print server machine 2 carries out ICC profile downloading processing333. ICC profile downloading processing 333 is such that machinenumber(s) of printer(s) 3A, 3B of such studio(s) is or are communicatedto center server machine 8, all printer ICC profile(s) corresponding tosuch printer(s) 3A, 3B (i.e., respective printer ICC profile(s)corresponding to respective printer(s) 3A, 3B as well as respectiveprint media capable of being accommodated by respective printer(s) 3A,3B) is or are downloaded from center server machine 8, and suchdownloaded printer ICC profile(s) is or are stored in prescribedfolder(s) 39. Thereafter, when creating print image(s), printer ICCprofile(s) stored within such folder(s) 39 may be used for colormatching.

In order to investigate change(s) in printer color characteristics atprinter(s) 3A, 3B, user(s) may at regular intervals or at desiredtime(s) (e.g., when ink(s) and/or print media are changed and/orreplaced, when printout color(s) appear strange, etc.) execute testpattern printing processing 334, which is installed at print servermachine 2. Test pattern printing processing 334 is such that image data331 for prescribed test pattern(s) is downloaded from center servermachine 8. Embedded in downloaded test pattern image data 331 is or areICC profile(s) representing color space(s) of such test pattern imagedata. Test pattern printing processing 334 is such that printer ICCprofile(s) corresponding to combination(s) of print media and printer(s)3A, 3B being investigated is or are read from folder(s) 39, andperceptual color matching is carried out using such printer ICCprofile(s) and test pattern image data ICC profile(s) so as to adjustsuch test pattern image data. Moreover, test pattern printing processing334 is such that such adjusted test pattern image data is provided toprinter driver(s) 35A and/or 35B, such adjusted test pattern image dataserving as image data for printing, and test pattern(s) is or areprinted at printer(s) 3A, 3B being investigated.

Test pattern printout(s) 336 obtained as a result thereof may be sentfrom studio(s) to the center by mail, for example. At the center,colorimetry may be carried out on such test pattern printout(s) 336, andbased on results of such colorimetry new printer ICC profile(s) may becreated which represents or represent the current color space(s) ofprinter(s) 3A, 3B being investigated, such new printer ICC profile(s)being input at center server machine 8. At center server machine 8,printer ICC profile(s) for printer(s) 3A, 3B being investigated which isor are present at printer ICC profile database 330 may be updated tosuch new printer ICC profile(s). Print server machine 2 thereafterdownloads, from center server machine 8, new printer ICC profile(s) forprinter(s) 3A, 3B being investigated, and updates printer ICC profile(s)for printer(s) 3A, 3B being investigated which is or are present withinfolder(s) 39 to such downloaded new printer ICC profile(s). Print servermachine 2 can then use such new printer ICC profile(s).

Moreover, electronic method(s) such as the following may be used asmethod(s) for sending test pattern printout(s) 336 to the center.

To wit, as shown in FIG. 5, user(s) at photo studio(s) place, next toeach other on platen(s) of image scanner(s) 338, desired print medium ormedia on which test pattern(s) has or have been printed (hereinafter“test pattern printout(s)”) 336 and preprepared test pattern mastersheet(s) 337, and cause image scanner(s) 338 to scan such test patternprintout(s) 336 and master sheet(s) 337 in a single image scanning run.What is referred to as a test pattern master sheet 337 is a sheet onwhich a test pattern is printed with accurate color(s), same beingdistributed in advance to respective photo studio(s). Moreover, thereason for carrying out scanning in a single image scanning run is that,since image scanner color space(s) vary in subtle fashion with everyimage scanning run, causing scanning to be carried out in a single imagescanning run makes it possible for printout(s) 336 and master sheet(s)337 to be scanned within the same color space(s) and makes it possiblefor difference(s) in color(s) therebetween to be accurately detected.

Image data captured from printout(s) 336 and master sheet(s) 337 whichis output from image scanner 338 may be acquired by print server machine2, and may be uploaded to center server machine 8 by means of capturedimage data uploading processing 335 (uploaded data may include dataindicating print medium or media being used and/or data identifyingprinter ICC profile(s) being used).

At center server machine 8, ICC profile updating processing 332 is suchthat any difference in color(s) between test pattern printout(s) 336 andmaster sheet(s) 337 is detected based on such uploaded captured imagedata; furthermore, based on results of such detection, new printer ICCprofile(s) is or are created which represents or represent the currentcolor space(s) of printer(s) 3A, 3B being investigated (such printer ICCprofile(s) will of course correspond to print medium or media ofprintout(s) 336), and corresponding printer ICC profile(s) withinprinter ICC profile database 330 is or are updated. Center servermachine 8 downloads updated printer ICC profile(s) to print servermachine(s) 2, such downloading being carried out automatically atcertain time(s), and/or in response to request(s) from print servermachine(s) 2 itself or themselves, and/or in response to request(s) fromuser(s) by way of print server machine(s) 2.

The foregoing is the flow of processing in connection with printer ICCprofile updating. Such printer ICC profile updating may be carried outat regular intervals and/or whenever appropriate in order to investigatechanges in printer(s) 3A and/or 3B with time. Alternatively or inaddition thereto, same may be carried out when new print media type(s)are added to the type(s) of print media available for use at printer(s)3A and/or 3B. In such case, new printer ICC profile(s) corresponding tonewly added print media type(s) will be created at center server machine8, will be added to printer ICC profile database 330, and will bedownloaded to print server machine(s) 2.

Moreover, even where print media type is the same, because difference(s)in manufacturing lot will cause printer color space(s) to vary in subtlefashion (meaning that printout color(s) will be different), printer ICCprofile(s) may alternatively or in addition be updated when print mediaof different manufacturing lot(s) is or are used at printer(s) 3A and/or3B.

While there are a number of types of image scanner 338 capable of beingemployed in the foregoing printer ICC profile updating processing flow,image scanner(s) 338 permitting printout(s) 336 and test pattern mastersheet(s) 337 to be easily captured in a single image scanning run, suchas, for example, flatbed-type image scanner(s) 338, is/are preferred.Furthermore, test pattern master sheet(s) 337 may be made available inas many type(s) of print media as is/are capable of being accommodatedby printer(s) 3A and/or 3B; in which case, test pattern master sheet(s)337 of the same print medium or media as test pattern printout(s) 336would be placed next to each other on the aforementioned platen(s) atthe time that the aforementioned single image scanning run is carriedout.

Furthermore, any number of variations are possible with respect to theforegoing embodiment(s).

In a first exemplary variation, at time(s) that the aforementionedcaptured image(s) obtained as a result of scanning in a single imagescanning run (i.e., image(s) including captured image(s) of printout(s)336 and captured image(s) of master sheet(s) 337) is or are uploaded tocenter server machine 8, print server machine(s) 2 might detectdifference(s) in color(s) between master sheet(s) 337 and printout(s)336 and might upload only the results of such detection (hereinafter“color difference detection results”) to center server machine 8. Centerserver machine 8 would, based on received color difference detectionresults, create new printer ICC profile(s) representing the currentcolor space(s) of printer(s) 3A, 3B being investigated and would updatecorresponding printer ICC profile(s) within printer ICC profiledatabase(s) 330.

Furthermore, in a second variation, print server machine(s) 2 might usethe foregoing color difference detection results to create printer ICCprofile(s) corresponding to print medium or media and printer(s) 3A, 3Bbeing investigated, and might use created printer ICC profile(s) toupdate corresponding printer ICC profile(s) within prescribed folder(s)39 (meaning that print server machine(s) 2 would not carry out theforegoing processing to upload captured image(s) and/or color differencedetection results to center server machine 8).

Furthermore, in a third variation, the foregoing printer ICC profileupdating might be applied to printing system(s) intended formore-ordinary users rather than being limited to the foregoingcommercial printing system(s) provided to photo studio(s). For example,as shown in FIG. 6, the foregoing printer ICC profile updating might beapplied to printing system(s) comprising personal computer(s) 1002 towhich image scanner(s) 338 is or are connected and which is or arecapable of communicating with ICC profile server(s) 1008 by way ofcommunication network(s) such as the Internet 1000, as well asprinter(s) 1003 connected to personal computer(s) 1002. At the systemshown in FIG. 6, personal computer 1002 possesses printer driver(s) 1035as well as elements and/or functionalities 39 and 333 through 335possessed by print server machine 2 in the system at FIG. 5, and ICCprofile server 1008 possesses elements and/or functionalities 330through 332 possessed by center server machine 8 in the system at FIG.5. As a result, because it will be possible, even in the context of anordinary printing system such as is shown in FIG. 6, to update printerICC profile(s) in correspondence to changes occurring over time inprinter(s) 1003 and the like, it will be possible to carry out printingin more satisfactory fashion than was the case conventionally. Notemoreover that personal computer(s) 1002 may of course be provided withelements and/or functionalities 330 through 332 possessed by ICC profileserver(s) 1008 in addition to the foregoing elements and/orfunctionalities 39 and 333 through 335 (that is, personal computer(s)1002 might not carry out the foregoing processing to upload capturedimage(s) and/or color difference detection results to ICC profileserver(s) 1008 but might create new printer ICC profile(s) based oncaptured image(s)).

Furthermore, other embodiments are possible.

FIG. 7 shows a photo studio system associated with another embodiment ofthe present invention.

Present at print server machine(s) 225 of this other embodiment thereare compensating filter(s) 200A, 200B, . . . 201A, 201B, . . .(hereinafter referred to as “compensating filter(s) 200”), correspondingto respective printer(s) 3A, 3B and to respective print media type(s)(e.g., plain paper, glossy paper, etc.), for compensating for change(s)in color space(s) (color characteristics) of printer(s) 3A, 3B occurringas a result of deterioration due to passage of time. Compensatingfilter(s) 200 is/are constituted so as to carry out specific processing(e.g., correction of color tone(s) in correspondence to current colorspace(s) of printer(s) 3A, 3B) on image data output by client machine(s)5A, 5B. More specifically, compensating filter(s) 200 might, forexample, be tone curve(s) for accepting input of respective pixelvalue(s) (e.g., intensity, brightness, and/or saturation) containedwithin image data output by client machine(s) 5A, 5B and respectivelyconverting respective input pixel value(s) into prescribed value(s)which is/are then output (of course, compensating filter(s) 200 is/arenot limited to tone curve(s) but may for example be n×n matrixdeterminant(s) for matrix operation(s) for correction of image data).

In this other embodiment, upon receiving image data from clientmachine(s) 5A, 5B, print server machine(s) 225 uses compensatingfilter(s) 200 corresponding to output destination printer(s) 3A and/or3B and print media type(s) to apply specific filter processing to thereceived image data. Moreover, using printer driver(s) 35A and/or 35Bcorresponding to output destination printer(s) 3A and/or 3B, printserver machine 225 employs printer ICC profile(s) corresponding tooutput destination printer(s) 3A, 3B and print media type(s) to carryout color matching on filter-processed image data, and prints thecolor-matched image data at printer(s) 3A and/or 3B.

In this other embodiment, change(s) in color space(s) of printer(s)occurring as a result of deterioration due to passage of time may becompensated not through use of printer ICC profile(s) but through use ofcompensating filter(s) 200. To this end, it is preferred thatcompensating filter(s) 200 be updated at regular intervals and/orwhenever appropriate; for example, by means of procedure(s) such as thefollowing.

FIG. 8 shows functional constitution of print server machine 252 andcenter server machine 255 for updating compensating filter(s) 200.Processing flow to the point where compensating filter(s) 200 is/areupdated will be described with reference to same FIG.

Just as was the case with updating of printer ICC profile(s), user(s)might at regular intervals or at desired time(s) (e.g., when ink(s)and/or print media are changed and/or replaced, when printout color(s)appear strange, etc.) first execute the aforementioned test patternprinting processing 334, which is installed at print server machine(s)252, in order to investigate change(s) in printer color characteristicsat printer(s) 3A, 3B. As a result, test pattern printout(s) 336 would beobtained from printer(s) 3A, 3B being investigated.

In addition, user(s) may place test pattern printout(s) 336 andpreprepared test pattern master sheet(s) 337 next to each other onplaten(s) of image scanner(s) 338, and may cause image scanner(s) 338 toscan such test pattern printout(s) 336 and master sheet(s) 337 in asingle image scanning run. Image data captured from printout(s) 336 andmaster sheet(s) 337 which is output from image scanner 338 may be outputto print server machine(s) 252.

Print server machine(s) 252 uses captured image data from imagescanner(s) 338 to carry out compensating filter creation processing 600.During compensating filter creation processing 600, captured image datafrom image scanner 338 is analyzed and difference(s) in color(s) betweentest pattern printout(s) 336 and master sheet(s) 337 is/are detected(more specifically, histogram(s) of specific color component(s) (e.g.,gray component(s)) might, for example, be respectively created forprintout(s) 336 and master sheet(s) 337, comparison of respectivehistograms permitting detection of difference(s) in color(s) betweenprintout(s) 336 and master sheet(s) 337). Moreover, based on results ofsuch detection, new compensating filter(s) 200 corresponding to currentcolor space(s) of printer(s) 3A, 3B being investigated is or arecreated; i.e., compensating filter(s) 200 for compensating fordeterioration of printer(s) 3A, 3B over time (a specific example ofwhich would be tone curve(s) adjusted so as to cause respective pixelvalue(s) in image data output from client machine(s) 5A, 5B to beconverted to pixel value(s) such as will permit printing of correctcolor(s) (e.g., color(s) close to that or those desired by user(s)) isor are created. Note moreover that the compensating filter(s) createdhere do of course correspond to print media type(s) of test patternprintout(s) 336.

Following compensating filter creation processing 600, print servermachine 252 carries out compensating filter updating processing 601.That is, print server machine 252 uses created new compensatingfilter(s) 200 to update existing compensating filter(s) corresponding toprint media type(s) of printer(s) 336 and printer(s) 3A, 3B beinginvestigated.

The foregoing is flow of processing in connection with updating ofcompensating filter(s) 200. Updating during updating of compensatingfilter(s) 200 may be carried out in similar fashion to the foregoingupdating during updating of printer ICC profile(s).

To wit, test pattern printout(s) 336 might be sent, e.g., by mail, fromstudio(s) to center(s); new compensating filter(s) 200 might be createdat center(s) based on results of colorimetry carried out on suchprintout(s) 336; and such new compensating filter(s) 200 might be inputat center server machine(s) 255; downloading of same from center servermachine(s) 255 to print server machine(s) 252 permitting updating ofcompensating filter(s) 200.

Furthermore, captured image(s) might be uploaded to center servermachine(s) 252; center server machine(s) might carry out compensatingfilter creation processing 600; and new compensating filter(s) createdas a result thereof might be downloaded, permitting updating ofcompensating filter(s).

Furthermore, such updating of compensating filter(s) might be carriedout when new print media type(s) are added to the type(s) of print mediaavailable for use at printer(s) 3A and/or 3B, permitting compensatingfilter(s) 200 corresponding to newly added print media type(s) to becreated and added to that or those available at print server machine(s)252.

Furthermore, updating of compensating filter(s) may be carried out uponchange(s) in manufacturing lot(s) of print media used at printer(s) 3Aand/or 3B (i.e., compensating filter(s) 200 might be prepared so as toexhibit correspondence with respect not only to printer(s) 3A, 3B andprint media type(s) but also with respect to manufacturing lot(s)).

Moreover, the foregoing first through third variations described in thecontext of updating of printer ICC profile(s) may also be applied in thecontext of the foregoing compensating filter updating processing.

Whereas a number of embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed above, these have been presented as examples for purposes ofdescribing the present invention and without intent to limit the scopeof the present invention to these embodiments alone. The presentinvention may accordingly be carried out in the context of a widevariety of other embodiments without departing from the essence thereof.

1. A printing system comprising: one or more print means; one or morestorage units storing one or more print means color profilesrepresenting one or more color spaces for at least one of the printmeans; one or more control means accepting image data for printing,using at least one of the print means color profile or profiles storedin at least one of the storage unit or units to carry out color matchingwith respect to at least a portion of the image data for printing, andusing at least a portion of the image data with respect to which colormatching has been carried out to control at least one of the printmeans; and one or more update means updating at least one of the printmeans color profile or profiles within at least one of the storage unitor units at regular intervals and/or whenever appropriate.
 2. A printingsystem according to claim 1 further comprising: one or more test patternprinting processing means accepting input of test pattern image data, atleast a portion of the test pattern image data representing one or moretest patterns, and providing at least a portion of the test patternimage data to at least one of the control means, at least a portion ofthe test pattern image data provided to at least one of the controlmeans serving as at least a portion of the image data for printing; andone or more color profile creating means creating at least onemost-recent print means color profile representing at least one currentcolor space of at least one of the print means based on one or more testpattern printouts output by at least one of the print means and/orinformation about at least one of the printout or printouts; wherein atleast one of the update means uses at least one of the createdmost-recent print means color profile or profiles to update at least oneof the print means color profile or profiles within at least one of thestorage unit or units.
 3. A printing system according to claim 2 furthercomprising: one or more test pattern master sheets on which at least oneof the test pattern or patterns is printed with at least one accuratecolor; and one or more image capturing means scanning at least one ofthe test pattern master sheet or sheets and at least one of the testpattern printout or printouts and creating captured image datacorresponding to at least one of the test pattern master sheet or sheetsand at least one of the test pattern printout or printouts; wherein atleast one of the color profile creating means creates at least one ofthe most-recent print means color profile or profiles based on at leastone color of at least one of the test pattern master sheet or sheets andat least one color of at least one of the test pattern printout orprintouts represented by at least a portion of the captured image data.4. A printing system according to claim 2 comprising one or more usersystems, and one or more server systems capable of communicating with atleast one of the user system or systems; wherein at least one of theuser system or systems comprises at least one of the print means, atleast one of the storage unit or units, at least one of the controlmeans, at least one of the update means, and at least one of the testpattern printing processing means; and wherein at least one of theserver system or systems comprises at least one of the color profilecreating means.
 5. A server system capable of communicating by way ofone or more communication networks with one or more user systems, theone or more user systems comprising one or more print means; one or morestorage units storing one or more print means color profilesrepresenting one or more color spaces for at least one of the printmeans; one or more control means accepting image data for printing,using at least one of the print means color profile or profiles storedin at least one of the storage unit or units to carry out color matchingwith respect to at least a portion of the image data for printing, andusing at least a portion of the image data with respect to which colormatching has been carried out to control at least one of the printmeans; and one or more update means updating at least one of the printmeans color profile or profiles within at least one of the storage unitor units at regular intervals and/or whenever appropriate, the serversystem comprising: one or more color profile creating means creating atleast one most-recent print means color profile representing at leastone current color space of at least one of the print means based on oneor more image printouts output by at least one of the print means underthe control of at least one of the control means and/or informationabout at least one of the printout or printouts; and one or more sendingmeans sending at least one of the created most-recent print means colorprofile or profiles to at least one of the user system or systems.
 6. Auser system capable of communicating by way of one or more communicationnetworks with one or more server systems, the user system comprising:one or more print means; one or more storage units storing one or moreprint means color profiles representing one or more color spaces for atleast one of the print means; one or more control means accepting imagedata for printing, using at least one of the print means color profileor profiles stored in at least one of the storage unit or units to carryout color matching with respect to at least a portion of the image datafor printing, and using at least a portion of the image data withrespect to which color matching has been carried out to control at leastone of the print means; one or more receiving means receiving, from atleast one of the server system or systems by way of at least one of thecommunication network or networks, one or more most-recent print meanscolor profile representing at least one current color space of at leastone of the print means, at least one of the most-recent print meanscolor profile or profiles being created based on one or more imageprintouts output by at least one of the print means under the control ofat least one of the print control means and/or information about atleast one of the printout or printouts; and one or more update meansusing at least one of the received most-recent print means color profileor profiles to update at least one of the print means color profile orprofiles within at least one of the storage unit or units.
 7. A methodcomprising: one or more steps in which one or more print means colorprofiles representing one or more color spaces for one or more printmeans is or are stored; one or more steps in which image data forprinting is accepted, at least one of the print means color profile orprofiles stored in at least one of the storage unit or units is used tocarry out color matching with respect to at least a portion of the imagedata for printing, and at least a portion of the image data with respectto which color matching has been carried out is used to control at leastone of the print means; and one or more steps in which at least one ofthe print means color profile or profiles within at least one of thestorage unit or units is updated at regular intervals and/or wheneverappropriate.
 8. A computer program capable of being made available toone or more printing systems comprising one or more print means, thecomputer program being capable of causing one or more computers to carryout: one or more steps in which one or more print means color profilesrepresenting one or more color spaces for at least one of the printmeans is or are stored; one or more steps in which image data forprinting is accepted, at least one of the print means color profile orprofiles stored in at least one of the storage unit or units is used tocarry out color matching with respect to at least a portion of the imagedata for printing, and at least a portion of the image data with respectto which color matching has been carried out is used to control at leastone of the print means; and one or more steps in which at least one ofthe print means color profile or profiles within at least one of thestorage unit or units is updated at regular intervals and/or wheneverappropriate.
 9. A printing system comprising: one or more print means;one or more data sources outputting image data for printing; one or moreimage filters accepting input thereto of at least a portion of the imagedata for printing output by at least one of the data source or sources,carrying out prescribed processing on at least a portion of the imagedata for printing input thereto, and outputting therefrom at least aportion of the image data for printing after the prescribed processinghas been carried out thereon; one or more storage units storing at leastone of the image filter or filters; one or more control meanscontrolling at least one of the print means so as to print at least aportion of the image data for printing output by at least one of theimage filter or filters; and one or more update means updating at leastone of the image filter or filters at regular intervals and/or wheneverappropriate; wherein at least one of the image filter or filterscorresponds to at least one of the print means.
 10. A printing systemaccording to claim 9 further comprising: one or more test patternprinting processing means accepting input of test pattern image data, atleast a portion of the test pattern image data representing one or moretest patterns, and providing at least a portion of the test patternimage data to at least one of the control means, at least a portion ofthe test pattern image data provided to at least one of the controlmeans serving as at least a portion of the image data for printing; andone or more filter creating means creating at least one most-recentimage filter corresponding to at least one current color space of atleast one of the print means based on one or more test pattern printoutsoutput by at least one of the print means and/or information about atleast one of the printout or printouts; wherein at least one of theupdate means uses at least one of the created most-recent image filteror filters to update at least one of the image filter or filters withinat least one of the storage unit or units.
 11. A printing systemaccording to claim 10 further comprising: one or more test patternmaster sheets on which at least one of the test pattern or patterns isprinted with at least one accurate color; and one or more imagecapturing means scanning at least one of the test pattern master sheetor sheets and at least one of the test pattern printout or printouts andcreating captured image data corresponding to at least one of the testpattern master sheet or sheets and at least one of the test patternprintout or printouts; wherein at least one of the filter creating meanscreates at least one of the most-recent image filter or filters based onat least one color of at least one of the test pattern master sheet orsheets and at least one color of at least one of the test patternprintout or printouts represented by at least a portion of the capturedimage data.
 12. A method comprising: one or more steps in which imagedata for printing output by one or more data sources outputting imagedata for printing is input, prescribed processing is carried out on atleast a portion of the input image data for printing, and one or moreimage filters output after the prescribed processing has been carriedout is or are stored; one or more steps in which one or more print meansis or are controlled so as to print at least a portion of the image datafor printing output by at least one of the image filter or filters; andone or more steps in which at least one of the image filter or filtersis updated at regular intervals and/or whenever appropriate; wherein atleast one of the image filter or filters corresponds to at least one ofthe print means.
 13. A computer program capable of being made availableto one or more printing systems comprising one or more print means andone or more data sources outputting image data for printing, thecomputer program being capable of causing one or more computers to carryout: one or more steps in which at least a portion of the image data forprinting output by at least one of the data source or sources is input,prescribed processing is carried out on at least a portion of the inputimage data for printing, and one or more image filters output after theprescribed processing has been carried out is or are stored; one or moresteps in which at least one of the print means is controlled so as toprint at least a portion of the image data for printing output by atleast one of the image filter or filters; and one or more steps in whichat least one of the image filter or filters is updated at regularintervals and/or whenever appropriate.
 14. A computer system comprisingone or more image processing means carrying out specific imageprocessing on image data input thereto, the system comprising: one ormore test pattern master sheets on which one or more test patterns is orare printed with at least one accurate color; one or more imagecapturing means scanning at least one of the test pattern master sheetor sheets and one or more printouts of at least one of the test patternor patterns, at least one of the test pattern master sheet or sheets andat least one of the test pattern printout or printouts being placedtogether on one or more platens, and creating captured image data inwhich included together there are results of capture for both at leastone of the test pattern master sheet or sheets and at least one of thetest pattern printout or printouts; and one or more means employing atleast a portion of the captured image data to control and/or adjust atleast one of the image processing means.
 15. A method capable of beingused in the context of a computer system comprising one or more imageprocessing means carrying out specific image processing on image datainput thereto, the method comprising: one or more steps in which one ormore test pattern master sheets on which one or more test patterns is orare printed with at least one accurate color and one or more printoutsof at least one of the test pattern or patterns are placed together onone or more platens, and at least one of the test pattern master sheetor sheets and at least one of the test pattern printout or printouts arescanned; one or more steps in which captured image data is created,results of capture carried out in at least one of the scanning step orsteps for both at least one of the test pattern master sheet or sheetsand at least one of the test pattern printout or printouts beingincluded in the captured image data; and one or more steps in which atleast a portion of the captured image data is employed to control and/oradjust at least one of the image processing means.